“Absolutely. And don’t worry about Ben and Zach. They’re both awkward at times but they will help you with whatever you need. We’ve built a really great team here.”
My stomach settles, my nerves easing even more. “That’s great to hear. Thanks for being so welcoming.” I glance at my watch. It’s only just after five p.m. “Got any crazy Friday night plans?”
“Ha!” Her laugh bursts from her chest. “Those days are long gone for me.” She holds up her phone, showing me a picture of a chubby little baby with a toothless smile stretched across her face. “Miss Myra came into this world loud and in charge ten months ago and I’ve been at her mercy ever since.”
“Oh, but she’s such a little angel,” I coo, smiling down at the photos she’s flipping through.
“That’s what her daddy says but I like to remind him of that at three a.m. when she’s screaming her head off for the second hour straight for no reason.” She lets out a soft, exasperated sigh as she looks down at the photos. “But she’s the light of our world and we couldn’t be happier.”
“I bet.” We step out of the elevator, and she grabs my arm for a second.
“But hey, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything and welcome to Denver. We’ll grab lunch next week and chat.” She waves, then heads toward the parking garage.
I step outside and start the six-block walk back to my place, sending a quick text to Maddie of the picture I took at lunch.
Me:Survived my first day in the office.
She calls immediately, already talking when I answer the phone. “Tell me everything,” she sings. “Is your boss sexy? Did they make you all go around the room and say something ‘weird or interesting’ about yourself?”
“Oh yes.” I laugh, tossing my things on the table when I walk through my front door. “My boss and I actually ended up hooking up on his desk, and then he offered me fifty million dollars to pretend to be engaged to him!”
She bursts into laughter. “God, wouldn’t that be amazing, though? I’d smack you senseless if you ever turned down that kind of offer.”
“There’s only one other woman on my team.” I pull off my coat and scarf, kicking my shoes to the side and flopping downonto my couch. “She’s cool. She’s a few years older than us and just had her first baby. The guys are nice, nerdy.”
“You like nerdy.”
“I do but I’m not getting involved with someone at work, Mads. That’s like How to Get Fired 101.”
“True and plus, if it gets messy like that time I dated my manager Jack Prickless when I worked at Rack Room Shoes in college.” She makes a gagging sound. “Anyway, how’s Denver? Have you been to any cool bars or restaurants yet?”
“Not yet.” I yawn. “Just been so focused on unpacking and trying to get settled. It’s nice from what I’ve seen. Very active.”
“And lonely?” Her voice gentles.
I swallow. “A little.”
“You’ll find your people,” she promises. “Oh, by the way, did Cole show up when you texted for help? Be honest.”
Heat zips across my cheeks like I’m still standing in my living room in an oversized hoodie with bare thighs and a death-trap bookshelf. “He did,” I say, aiming for breezy and landing on breathless. “He was… helpful. And nice. He’s nothing like the guy I remember.”
“Ooooh,” she sings. “My brother finally acting like the hero I’ve always said he is?”
“Don’t get cocky on his behalf,” I mutter, smiling anyway. “But yes, he fixed the bookshelf, the TV console, the pictures. He even came back the next night, too. Then—” I hesitate, picking at a piece of lint on my pants. “He left. Fast.”
“Of course he did. Ever since Jess that man is emotionally shut down.” She sighs.
“Jess?”
“Yeah, you remember the ex-fiancée who left with no explanation, just the ring on his dresser. Ugh, what a bitch.”
“Oh, right,” I say, vaguely remembering her telling me at the time. My heart aches for him; I can’t imagine that level of pain.Then again, I can’t imagine who would want to leave Cole.
“Hopefully someday, though, he’ll find that person who makes him want to trust again. Anyway”—she pauses for a second—“I miss you so much and I want to catch up tomorrow when we can talk longer, but right now, I have to run. Happy hour with the girls at Marco’s.”
My immediate reaction is to whine, tell her how much I wish I was getting ready with her, but I think better of it. I’m the one who chose to move, to follow my dreams, so it’s time I suck it up. “Have a drink for me. Tell everyone I miss them. Love you.”
I groan, pull myself off my couch, and walk to the kitchen to pour a glass of grocery-store pinot. I stand in the middle of my living room like I’m waiting for a cue. The gallery wall he hung looks perfect, just like the bookshelf and TV console.
